Family: Cannaceae

Genus: Canna

Species: glauca

Common names: canna glauca, canna

General Description: Canna is a striking tropical and subtropical plant that has a bloom that comes in all shades of red, pink, yellow, orange and many combinations of those colors. Canna flowers in the summer and is a perennial, returning to bloom year after year.

Location Canna glauca , within the only genus in the family Cannaceae, is native to the Americas and Asia, particularly South America.

Uses: Canna, grown as a food product in the Andes, Vietnam and southern China, produces a starch that is used to make cellophane noodles. In regions beyond the tropics, gardeners find they can add this plant to the landscape, get the requisite six hours of sunshine daily, and protect them from freezing temperatures in winter. They grow quickly and require little attention.

This genus includes 19 species of plants with flowers that resemble lilies. Canna indica is the best known of the species; Canna flaccida is a water plant with yellow flowers; Canna glauca is another aquatic species and (originally) produces yellow flowers. These two varieties are well suited to a water garden, and add a nice tropical appeal to such landscapes.

Canna grows from rhizomes (thick underground stems) that store starch. The agricultural industry finds this plant interesting because it has to greatest amount of starch found in plants. Canna seeds are well protected; they go into 'hibernation' because the seed shell is so hard. Canna is the only member of its class (Liliopsida) able to protect its seeds in this way.

Disclaimer: The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Any reference to medicinal use is not intended to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.